Job Opportunities at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

• Build the image of the Ford products and primary brand by the development and implementation of comprehensive communication strategies

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

• High level of ability with respect to event organisation, self discipline and administration
• Communication proficiency. Must be articulate and have a thorough command of the English language. An understanding of Afrikaans and/or another South African official language would be useful but not essential.
• A good understanding of Public Relations and the role it should play in the company’s overall communication strategy is essential.
• Ability to write and edit media releases.
• The ability and willingness to work long hours and weekends (without overtime pay) is essential.
• Must be in a position to regularly travel and attend functions and events away from home when required.
• Be a team player and have a strong desire to assist in developing the company’s Communications team into the best in the industry from the perspective of the media, service providers, government, NGO’s, dealers, etc.
• Ability to handle pressure.
• Tenacity and adaptability.
• Integrity- able to respect confidentiality.
• A high degree of professionalism.
• Have a lively, inquiring mind, with lots of initiative and be self-motivated.
• Computer literate – the ability to work with Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and the Internet is a requirement.
• Ability to handle difficult media personalities.
• Ability to handle unhappy customers

QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE

• Degree or Diploma – Marketing and/or Communications
• At least two years experience in a public relations management
• Manages and co-ordinates all activities surrounding product strategies and communications to the media (Motoring, lifestyle, Trade, Consumer, social and electronic press).
• Maximize Ford coverage in the media through various media strategies
• Continued revitalisation of company and brand image amongst key media
• Handles the commissioning of media releases and media kit photography with regard to all products and services.
• Assists with the co-ordination of any exhibitions where Communications involvement is required.
• Manages and co-ordinates the Road Test Fleet(Scheduling,Vehicle preparation, Timeous and appropriate defleeting, Traffic fine management)
• Assist with internal product launches
• Integrates with all Marketing and agency activities with regard to product communications
• Bring to life Ford OS Behaviours through consistent & cohesive communications to all audiences & through all channels, with employees as a priority
• Tell the Made in SAF Ranger story – highlight the important role of Ranger in South Africa’s automotive industry and overall economy
• Create enthusiastic brand advocates among Ford employees by using internal communication channels to share important product milestones and brand triumphs like major award wins
• Build a solid foundation for winning product reveals and launches, Demonstrate Ford’s obsession with the customer, build desire for the nameplate / brand

Create a disruptive reveal cadence that cements our obsession with the customer; generates positive media coverage and buzz across key audiences

• Strategic teasers through reveal cadence
• Support IMG with “launch in a box”
• New press kit format and delivery
• Rally our base, excite our Ford Family and opinion leaders as we drive advocacy
• Fully capitalize on IMG’s product launch cadence, continuing to highlight Ranger and Icons
• Develop comprehensive launch plans, including sustainment plans, for all new Ranger products that are planned . Integrate digital/virtual elements to launches. Integrate multimedia content into launch events. Measure success through coverage and media feedback
• Regain confidence & trust of key media to change the product conversation.
• Establish Ford as a Thought Leader, using its product portfolio in IMG’s Emerging Markets
• Social media: Assist in the creation of an engaging and consistent customer experience across all social media touchpoints.
• SAF brand revitalization – continue to rebuild brand trust by reinforcing product messaging
• Identify product opportunities to position Ford as a caring corporate citizen through media and influencer partnerships and highlight the role of Ford vehicles in CSI initiatives.
• Ongoing crisis management – respond swiftly and accurately to media queries.
• Assist in ensuring ongoing product assets and product content is world class and engaging for stakeholders
• Work to increase Ford’s reputation in IMG markets using analysis of product-related data to target the right messages, audiences and platforms.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

Role Summary:   

• Final Assembly VOME EOL Related Projects, including Major and Minor Programs Launches

VO FAE Deliverables 

• Ensure proper diagnostic equipment and tools are available and updated.
• Assist/Coordinate trial of latest calibrations at EOL Test Equipment
• Single point of contact for Launch Electrical Engineering team.
• Interface with Ford departments and plants providing End of Line test result data as part of the resolution of any issues.  Obtain responses from PD, plant, and suppliers on any corrective actions to be taken to resolve issues assigned to these teams.
• Maintain EOL program launch metrics.
• Provide EOL status reports (“night letter”) to the program management team. 
• Maintain EOL issue resolution status (“Paynter chart”). 
• Provide documentation for launch gateway reviews as needed.
• Report software issues to VO FAE per established escalation procedures
• Lead EOL Bubble Meetings
• Health Chart Assessment as required.
• Specification, Purchasing and Installation of New equipment to support EOL processes.
• Ensure EOL Testing Strategy Cycle Time meets with Production Volume / Flow
• Support in plant trials
• Provide lessons learned feedback to prevent reoccurrence across the plants.
• Open/track issues in AIMs system if required.
• Communicate with other areas in plants on improving production processes.
• Establish and perform root cause analysis for first run electrical & EOL issues.
• Diagnose & resolve issues on a daily basis that is picked up at EOL station. 
• Understanding of the various fault codes from diagnostic tools.
• Use of meters, diagnostic instruments, laptops, and circuit diagrams to find electrical faults.
• Test New Vehicle configuration files
• Align Test sequences option modes meets with Electronic Broadcast System (EBS)
• Coordination of Electrical Changes Interfaces with CDC (Control Data Corporation), VSCS (Vehicle Configuration and Test Systems and Vehicle Operation Manufacturing Engineering).

QUALIFICATIONS

• National Diploma / Degree in Engineering
• 3 Years Production or Manufacturing experience in automotive industry
• Green Belt Desired
• Ability to operate in stressful situations within timing constraints.
• Ability to work with minimal direct supervision.
• Production / manufacturing knowledge
• Ability and willingness to learn vehicle diagnostics, EOL systems, EOL software, vehicle testing, testing process, and manufacturing feasibility processes.
• Strong computer skills (Excel, Power Point, Word, etc.)
• Data driven approach to analytical problem solving, and process robustness.
• Strong verbal & written communication and presentation skills